Lemuralia

Lemuralia

May 9, 11, 15

In ancient Rome the lemures were the ghosts of the family's dead, who were considered to be troublesome and therefore had to be exorcized on a regular basis. The lemures were generally equated with larvae or evil spirits, although some people believed that the lemures included the lares, or "good spirits," as well ( see Larentalia).
The Lemuralia or Lemuria was a yearly festival held on the ninth, 11th, and 15th of May to get rid of the lemures. Supposedly introduced by Romulus, the legendary founder of Rome, after he killed his twin brother Remus, this festival was originally called the Remuria . Participants walked barefoot, cleansed their hands three times, and threw black beans behind them nine times to appease the spirits of the dead. On the third day of the festival, a merchants' festival was held to ensure a prosperous year for business. The period during which the Lemuralia was held—the entire month of May—was considered to be an unlucky time for marriages.

SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 333
DictFolkMyth-1984, pp. 123, 613
DictRomRel-1996, p. 131
FestRom-1981, p. 118
FestSaintDays-1915, p. 110
OxYear-1999, p. 201

Celebration days: May 9, May 11, May 15